Electric switch.



T. E BARNUM;

ELEQTRHI SWITCH.

APPLICATION HLED SAN-11.!909.

Patent-ed May 16 T. E. BARNUM. ELECTRIC SW H'CH.

APPLICATION FILED 1A. 11, I909 1,183,159. Patented Maylfi, 1916.

6 SHEETSSHEET 2.

11E. EARNUM.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11. 1909.

Patented May 16, 1916,

6 SHEETSSHEET 4.

T. E. BARNUM ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.H.1909. 3 1,183,159. Patented May 11), 1916 T. E, BARNUM,

ELECTRIC SWITCH,

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11, 19119.

' 6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Q uting-1 To (.LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it lniown that I, Thoma a citizen of the United Sta-t Milwaukee, in the county It.-. State of Wisconsin, have invent useful. improvements Eiec of which the following is a cise, and exact description, had to the accompanying drawn 8 a part of this specification.

My invention relates to iiiiproveirelectric switches, and more particu fly those which are electioniagaetica erated.

My invention has for its to p an eii'icient and durahie switch, pftltlt-d applicable for controlling CliL',\i -..s tl which large currents are passed.

Other objects and advantages of my vent-ion ivill be hereinafter set forth.

F or the purpose of more :Eaiiy disclosing; the characteristic features of my invention, '1 shall describe the embodiment thereof, iliastrated in the accompanying drawings, which device is one that 1 have Worked oat in practice. It should be understood Eat my invention is not limited to the partic construction illustrated, but is capabie various modifications The views in the accompanying drawings are as follows:

Figure l is a front elevation of the device; Fi". Z is a side elevation of i; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing parts of the device in section; Fi 4: is a. sectional view taken on line H of 1; Figs. 5, 6 and T, are enlarged detai views of parts of the device, and Fig. 8 diagrammatically illustrates one circuit arrangement for this device.

The device illustrated is provided with a supporting frame 1, having suitable supporting members 2. For convenience of manufacture, I prefer-to form the frame in two parts, which may be secured together in any suitable manner. T he construction of thesupporting frame is best illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The two members of the frame are of substantially the-same construction, and I shall, therefore, only describe one of the same in detail. Each memher of the frame is preferably provided with a back portion 3 and a forwardly extending portion 4. The forwardiy extending perer to censtruct the two c secured. pro ect-mg; p it died "Aiiil ea saitahie le to the frame 1 blocks 11 rerers biy The screwthreadet st I ears 13 provided on. the sup; Secu ed the )acir ot' the supporting rraam hinsalatingpanci 1 formed of :9 P11, aoie irrateriai. lee aiie ii is secured to a 7, L u the rowel oars o. t name i:- bolts 30. a,

.ie frame by the st The stems 1;: nuts 16, adapted bear against the of the iii-.suiating panel. he wiii be hereinafter explained, the stems of the contact blocks form binding posts and are, therefore, provided with binding nuts 17. Fuicrumcd 012 pins 19, which pass through the base of the supporting frame, are a pair of.cohtact arms 20. The arms 20 are preferably provided with angular-1y disposed. tail pieces 21, the ends of which are preferably arranged to overlap and interfit, as shown in Fig. Extending through the overlapping ends of the tail pieces 21 of the contact arms is a pin iihe apertures in the tail piece 21, throw which the pin 22 extends, are

I 'ihe bolts 10 adapted to be drawn inwardly by electromagnets 23, mounted on the cylindrical portions 5 of the frame, said cylindrical portions forming the'cores of said magnets. The magnets are preferably wound'on'insulating spools 24, of any preferred type, and in practice I prefer to interpose metallic bushings :25 between the insulating spools and the cylindrical portions 5 of the supporting frame The brief ngs are preferably provided at their ends with annular flanges for engaging the ends of the insulating spools. As shown, the ends of the magnets 23 project beyond the ends of the cylindrica v portions 5 of the frame, and I therefore preferably form annular recesses 28 in the contact arms 20 for receiving the ends of the magnets to permit the arms to be drawn inwardly sufliciently to engage and seal with the ends of the cylindrical portions 5 and the extensions 6 and 7.

lVith the arrangement thus far described, I have found, n practice, that upon the clo-- sure of the circuits of the magnets 23, the arms 20 are quickly drawn inwardly, but rebound and fall backward almost immediately. This I have foundis due to the fact that when the circuits of the magnets are closed the current therethrough does not rise to its full strength immediately on account of the retarding effect of self induction, and consequently the'magnets are not sufficiently energized to retain the arms in closed position. This diiiiculty I have found can be overcome by reducing the gap in the magnetic clrcult of each magnet so that lts magnetic flux will not seek the path through the arm 20 until after the current through the magnet has attained nearly its full value and a strong magnetic field has been developed. This result can'be secured in a simple and efiicient manner by placing an iron ring-30 at the outer end of each magnet. With this arrangement it will be seen that when the circuits of the magnets are first closed, the magnetic flux will pass through the iron rings instead of through arms 20 inasmuch as the paths through the rings are shorter. Thus the arms are not drawn inwardly until the current through the magnets attains nearly its full strength and the cores are strongly magnetized.

IVhen the arms are finally drawn inwardlythey will be firmly held in closed position. The rings are preferably formed with annular flanges 31, adapted to surround the ends of the insulating spools upon which the magnets are wound. The rings 30 are held in place by means of rods 32. One end of each of the rods 32 is screwed into the frame, while the other end passes through an ear 33 provided on the rings 30. Nuts 34 are then screwed onto the ends of the rods 32 to hold the rings in place.

In practice I prefer to provide means for manually operating the contact arms in the event the magnets fail to operate. Of course, various means may be provided for this purpose. The means which I have shown for accomplishing this purpose, comhubs 36 are disks 39, which bear against coil springs 40 surrounding the rods 37, and set into suitable recesses provided in the ends of the hub. For locking the hand wheels against rotation, when not in. use, I provide locking pins 41, which pass through the hubs 36 and the rods 37. It will thus be seen that by removing the pins 41 the hand wheels maybe turned on the rods 37 to force the contact arms inwardly. As before stated, these hand wheels are provided merely for the purpose of operating the arms 20 should the magnets, for any reason, fail to operate.

At their upper extremities the arms 20 are preferably bifurcated to receive arcing contact arms 45, which are fulcrumed on pins 46 passing through the bifurcated portions thereof. In practice any desired number of arcing contact arms may be mounted on each of the contact arms 20. In the. device illustrated I have shown two of such devices provided on each contact arm. The arcing contact arms are provided at their upper ends with arcing contacts 47, of any desired type. The contacts 47, which I have shown, comprise angle plates, having one end therof beveled or inclined and fitting into correspondingly shaped notches in the arms 45. The contacts are secured to the arms by means of screws 48, (Fig. 5). The bifurcated portions of the arms 20 are preferably connected by a cross piece 49. Projecting from the cross piece 49, and extending through suitable apertures provided in the contact arms, are rods-50, the ends of which .are preferably screw-threaded and carry nuts 51. Surrounding the rods 50,

and interposed between the arcing contact arms and the nuts 51, are coil springs 52, which tend to force the arcing contact arms inwardly against the cross pieces 49. The

contacts may be provided. In practice I prefer to form the main contacts of a plurality oflaminations adapted to be secured in suitable holders 56 and to the contact arms 20 by means of bolts 57. The laminated main contacts 55 are so arranged that their lower extremities will engage the con arcing contacts, the auxiliary contacts and the main contacts, are so arranged that when the arms 20 are moved inwardly said contacts will successfully engage their respective stationary contacts in the order named. The arcing contact arms are electrically connected to the arms 20 by flexible conductors 58.

The stationary contacts which are adapted to be engaged by the upper ends of the main contact and the arcing contacts. are carried by a frame 70, which may be of any desired construction. As shown, the frame 70 is provided with a back portion 71, adapted to bear against the front of the insulating panel. Projecting forwardly from the portion 71 are a pair of substantially parallel extensions 72, which have rearw'ardly projecting screw-threaded stems 73. extending through suitable orifices provided in the insulating panel. The stems 73 serve as means for securing the frame '10 to the insulating panel and carry nuts 74, adapted to be turned to draw the frame firmly against the panel. As will be hereinafter explained, the stems? 3 formbindingposts and are, therefore, provided with nuts 75. Extending downwardly from the extensions 72 are arms 76, provided at their ends with enlarged portions 77, which are secured together by bolts 78, but separated by a strip of insulating material 79. The purpose of insulating the portions 77 from one another will be hereinafter explained. Each of the portions 76 is provided with. a rearward extension 80, having a scre\\'-thre:uled portion passing through the insulating panel and carrying a nut 81. adapted to be turned against the back of the insulating panel. This arrangement provides additional means for securing the frame to the insulating panel. In practice I prefer to providethe portions 77 of the frame with contact surfaces 82. adapted to be engaged by the upper ends of the main contacts carried by the arms 20. Extending upwardly from the portions 77, and preferably formed integrally therewith, are carbon contact holders 85. The contact holders 85 are constructed to'receive carbon contact blocks 86, which may be retained therein by suitable clamping plates 87 secured in place by bolts 88.

The carbon contact blocks 86 are arranged to be engaged .by the arcing contacts 17 carried by the contact arms 20. The contact holders 85 are also provided with contacts 90 adapted to be engaged by the auxiliary contacts 61 carried by the contact arms 20.

For disrupting the arcs produced by the arcing contacts, I provide blow-out devices havin iron cores 91 arranged between the arms i6 of the frame and the arcing contact holders 85. Secured to the ends of the cores 91 by screws 92, and arranged on opposite sides of the carbon contact blocks 86, are pole pieces having polar faces 93. The blow-out devices are supported by means of extensions 9%, having screw-threaded portions passing through the insulating panel and secured therein by nuts 95. Arranged between the polar faces are insulating chutes or barriers 96, having a portion 97 disposed between the cores 91 and the carbon contact holders 85. \Vith this arrangement it will be seen that the cores of the blowout devices are surrounded on three sides by portnms of the frame 70. As will be hereinafter explained, the current passing through the frame 70 magnetizes the cores of the blow-out devices and hence no special blow-out coils are required.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, I may provide auxiliary. switches adapted to be actuated by the contact members when moved inwardly. These switches may be of any desired form. As illustrated, they are mounted on an insulating panel 100, secured to the supporting frame above the magnets 23 by means of bolts 101. Suitably secured to the panel 100, and projecting outwardly therefrom, are two' pairs of contact studs 102 adapted to be bridged by the contact disk 103. The contact disks are loosely mounted on rods 104, which are slidably mounted in brackets 105 secured to the insulat-ing panel. liigidly mounted. on the rods 10-1 are collars 106, against which the contacts are arranged to be pressed by coil springs 10?. The springs 10? surround the rods 104 and bear against the end of the brackets 105, thereby normally holding the contact disks against their respective sets of contact studs. The disks 103 are arranged to be disengaged from their contact by studs 10S. carried by the contact members and arranged to engage and press the rods 10% inwardly when the contact members are moved imvardly. As illustrated, the studs 108 are screw-threaded and are adjustably secured by nuts 109 to ears 110 provided on the contact members. In practice, the contact studs and the bolts for securing the brackets, are arranged 'to pass through the insulating panel and I, therefore, prefer to interpose a layer of insulating material 111 between said panel and the supporting frame to prevent short circuits.

switch, I- have shown-the switch in a schematic way. The supporting frame and the switch arms having been omitted in this View, I have shown the arcing contacts 47,

electrically connected to the main contact blocks 11 by conductors 112. The contact blocks 11 are shown to be electrically connected by a conductor 113, which in turn is connected by conductor 114 to main line 1150f the supply circuit. The binding posts 7 3 of the frame are electrically connected by a conductor 117, which in turn is connected to one side of a translating circuit. 118. The opposite side of the translating circuit is connected by conductor 119 to main line 115}. Any suitable translating devices 120 may be connected in the translating circuit. As shown, the windings 23, for operating the main contact arms, are connected in series across the supply circuit. It should be understood, however, that the windings may be connected in circuitin any desired manner. For controlling the circuits of the windings 23, a switch 121 may be provided, and for reducing the flow of current through'the windings, after the contact arms have een drawn inwardly, a resistance 122 may be connected in circuit therewith. The resistance 122 is arranged to be normally short circuited by the auxiliary switches. With the switch 121 open, no current will flow through the windings 23 and consequently the contact arms will be in their open position. Therefore no current will flow through the translating devices. Assuming now that the switch 121 is closed, circuit will be closedthrough thewindings 23. This circuit may be traced from main line 115 through switch 121 through the auxiliary switches and the winding 23 to main line 116. It will thus be seen that the resistance 122 is excluded from circuit. As soon as the magnets 23 become fully energized the contact arms are drawn inwardly, causing the arcing contacts, the

auxiliary contacts and the main contacts to engage their respective stationary. contacts in the order named. As soon as the arcing contacts engage the carbon contacts, circuit is closed from main line 115 by conductor 11 1 to conductor 113, thence dividingly through the contact arms and thearcing contacts to the carbon contacts on o p-.

posite sides of the frame 70, and thence through the translating devices to main line 116. Owing to the peculiar shape of the frame 70, and to the insulation, the current flowing, when only the arcing contacts are closed, is forced to take tortuous paths around three sides of the cores of the blow.- out devices. This results inmagnetizing the cores of the blow-out devices and causing the blow-out devices to disrupt any arcs formed between the arcing contacts. When the contact arms are drawn to their innermost positions the main contact brushes will bridge the main contacts 11 and 82. Of course, as soon as the main contacts are closed, little or no current will flow through portions 85 of the frame 7 0. However, when the arms 20 move outwardly, the maincontact brushes will leave their respective contacts before the arcing contacts are separated, and, therefore, the cores of the blowout devices will be magnetized in ample time to extinguish the arcs, formed between the arcing contacts as they are separated. When the switch arms 20 reach their closed position the auxiliary switches are opened, thereby inserting the resistance 122 in circuit with the windings of the magnets 23. This results indecreasing the flow of current through the magnets to an amount just sufiicient to cause said magnets to retain the contact arms in closed position.

As already set forth, the constructionwhich I disclose provides two paths for the current passing therethrough, and conse quently the arcing between each set of arcing contacts is reduced. It should be understood, however, that my invention is not limited to this arrangement, as one contact arm might be sufficient.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: 1. In an electric switch, the combination with a magnet frame having at its base means for supporting the same in a vertical position, horizontally disposed electromagnets mounted upon opposite sides of said magnet frame in axial alinement, switch arms pivoted upon opposite sides of said magnet frame contiguous to its base to be actuated by said electromagnets and contacts carried by said magnet frame to be engaged by said switch arms.

2. In an electric switch, the combination with a magnet frame having at its basemeans for supporting the same in a vertical position, horizontally disposed electromagnets mounted upon opposite sides of said magnet frame in substantially axial alinement. switch arms pivoted on opposite sides of said magnet frame contiguous to its base .to be actuated by said electromagnets, an

"' icai portion of said I s id eleclromegnet prj ing magnet frame above and below so; dricel portion and disposed in a relation. thereto and a vertically itch In fnlcrninod so said magnet Ironic and cons tnting on armature for said eleci-roniegnes, said'switcl arm when zilfiilCl 1 V .i by said, elec firoinegnet coo rating m 'b. sn'e pole pieces to complete insgznei ic circuits for said electromagnet.

5. In an electric switch, she con'ibination with a, magnet frame having a cylindrical port-ion and pro lecti p rtions substantially parallel 10 i of said cylindrical. portion, on clectroinagnet mourns ed on the cylindrical portion of said-fierce, a switch can fulcrumed to said magnet ironic and. arranged 0 be actuated by said magnet, seid switch and. said. projecting poreions of the frame being so complete magnetic circuits for said. magnet, screwwhres-ded rod projecsing; iii the cylindrical poi-non of said. frame and. Klifig through said svrilcch or end n bend wheel having an interns screw- --reeded hub fitting onto said rod, rid. bend. eel being adepsed to be turned W ncfinete swiico. arm. 6, an electric swii'pcli, in c ncveble contact member, e, holder carrying main contact contact arranged so be en "ch member, and ice, said connect. ho che to form a tortuous c o one core of said, blow-our, ev

-Z'. on electric switch, in corn mo'inble contact member, iii-e15 holder provided with c. contecu ad so be engaged by said con jecl; nieni. end n magnetic blow-outdcvice s core fitting between por'ions of said content bolder, the contact on said. ho der ng so located. as to essing thcrei hi'onghto also ti'l'iTOllll she pom sions of said holder snrronn said core. 8. in an electric switch, the conibiiic'lsion with a movable cont-sci, inoer, of s sintionery contact holder p ideal tact adapted to be engaged by so member, said. contact hol stsn't-ially parallel conducnng p tricelly connected. at one end,

netic blow-011i; device having a, core disposed between the parallel. portions of said holder,

the contact on said holder being arranged lilllfil to the axis of the magnet core, a .ontact member adapted to be actuated by nid magnet and forming the armature 'liereoi, and a magnetic ring arranged at the or said magnet for diverting the magnetic flux of said magnet from said contact nicer until said magnet becomes substanhis ly fully energized.

11, in on elecizric switch, in combination, two contact members, electromagnetic means tending to operate the some in opposite direciio is independently of one another and interlociing means for said members insur ing operation thereof in unison.

l2. an electric switch, in combination,

two mot members, electromagnetic means ti 3 operate the some 111 opposite 1S and independenily of one another, operating means for said members ierlocking inea-n's'i'or said members j operation thereof in unison. electric switch, in combination, gner, ironic, eiectroinagnets mount-ed iereon, pair of contact members movable opposite directions and adopted to be sew-01c i by said magnets, said coninct'ineine rs interlocked to move in unison, e p. of siai-ionery contacts carried by said. magnet frame, and a stationary connect provided with a pair of contacts, contact members being adopscd. to connect one of said contacts on aid magnet frame to one of the contacts y said contact holder.

en eleciric switch, in combination, a frame provided with a forwardly sending portion provided on opposite sides with laterally extending cylindrical portions, eleciromagnets mounted on the cylindrical portions of said frame, and a pair of contact members pivoted on opposite sides of said magnet frame and movable in opposite directions, said contact members being adapted to be actuated by said magnets.

15. In an electric switch, in combination, a magnet frame provided with a forwardly extending portion provided on opposite sides with laterally extending cylindrical portions, electromagnets mounted on the cylindri'cal portions of said frame, and a pair of contact members pivoted to said magnet frame and movable in opposite directions, said contact members being adapted to be actuated by said magnets, and projections on said magnet frame adapted to be engaged by said contact members to complete mag netic circuits for said magnets.

16. In an electric switch, in combination, a magnet frame provided with a forwardly extending portion provided on opposite sides with laterally extending cylindrical portions, electromagnets mounted on the cylindrical portions of said frame and .a pair of contact members pivoted to said magnet frame-and movable in ppposite directions, said contact members being adapted to be actuated by said magnets, screw-threaded rods projecting from the cylindrical portions o-fsaid magnet frame and extending through said contact members, and hand wheels having internally screw-threaded hubs fitting onto said rods, said hand wheels being adapted to be rotated to actuate s'aid contact members. 7

17. In an electric switch, in combination, a magnet frame formed in two parts, each part having a, forwardly extending portion carrying a laterally extending cylindrical portion and lateral extensions arranged substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical portion, said parts being adapted to be secured together so that said extensions will project in opposite directions, electromagnets mounted on said magnet frame, and a. pair of contact members pivoted-to said frame and adapted to be actuated by said magnets.

18. In an electric switch, in combination, a pair of contact .mcmbers movable in opposite directions and" inter-locked to move in unison, electromagncts for actuatin said contact members, said contact members forming the armature of said magnets, and means for diverting the magnet fluxes of said ma gnets from said contact members until said magnets become substantially fully ener- 19. In an electric switch,.in combination, a pair of contact members, movablein opposite directiol'ls and interlocked to move in unison, clectriunagnets for actuating the same, said contact members forn'ling the armature of said magnets. and a magnetic ring provided at the end of each magnet adjacent to its correspond ing contact member for diverting the magnetic fluxes of said magnets from said contact members until said magnetsbecome substantially fully energized. 4

20. In an electric switch, in combination, a pair of contact members movable in opposite directions, a stationary contact holder provided on opposite sides with contacts arranged to be engaged by said contact members, magnetic blow-out devices having pole pieces disposed on opposite sides of the con tacts on said holder, said holder being con- .Structed to provide tortuous conducting paths around the cores of said blow-out devices.

21-. In an electric switch, in combination, a stationary contact holder provided on opposite sides with substantially U-shaped portions, having contacts arranged thereon, a pair of contact members movable in opposite directions and adapted to engage the contacts on said holders, and a pair of magnetic blow-outdevices having cores fitting into the U-shaped portions of said contact holder, the contacts 011 said holder being so arranged as to cause 'a flow of current through the U-shaped portions of said holder.

22. In an electric switch, the combination with a magnet frame provided at its base with means for supporting the same in a vertical position, a pair of elcctromagnets mounted upon said frame on opposite sides thereof, a pair of switch members pivoted upon opposite sides of said frame to be actu' ated by said magnets, and two sets of cooperating contacts, each of said switch members when actuated engaging and bridging one of said sets of contacts.

23. In an electric switch, the combination with a magnet frame of electromagnets carried by said frame, switch membe:s on opposite sides of said frame forming armatures for said electromagnets, stationary contacts to be engaged by said switch arms when. at

tracted by said magnets, said switch r ms being electrically connected and said stationary contacts being electrically connected and an interlock between said switch members insuring simultaneous operation thereof.

24. In an electric switch, in combination, a magnet frame having at its base means for supporting the same in a vertical position, horizontally disposed electromagnets mounted upon opposite sides of said frame in substantially axial alinement, electrically connected switch arms pivoted to said frame on opposite sides thereof and constituting armatures for said elcctromagnets, electrically coimected contacts to be engaged by said switch arms when attracted by said clectromaguets and an interlock between said switch arms insuring synchronous operation thereof.

25. In an electric switch, in combination, a magnet frame having on opposite sides of an. iniernua|iate portion cylindrical projections in siibstantiall axial alinement, electromagnetic windings mounted on said cylindi'ieai por'ions and swiicii as opgicsi'se sides of said frame in be aczusicd said windings,

525, in an electric switch, in combinziiiom :1 magnet frame provided on opposiite sides an intermediafie portion wish the oppositely extending cylindrical portions arranged in substantially axial alinement with prciecoions from said intermediate per-- eion er ltending substantially pamilei to said cylindrical poflions cieoii'onmgnctic Windiiigs mounted upon said cylindrical portions and switch members at opposifie sides of said frame to be actuated by said electromagnetic windings.

27. In coiniiinaifiion, ama-gnetic frame pro idedai its base with means for sugpcrtiii the same in :1 vertical position, said being formed in longitudinal sections secol-ed together latemily extending eyiindri csi portions provided on said sections in substant y axial alinement, electromagnetic windings mounted on said cylindrical poi fiions and switch arms fuicrumed on op oosite sides of said frame to be actuated by said electromagnetic windings.

in witness whereof, I have hereunto sub-- scribed my name in the sr sence of two Wiik messes.

THOS. E. BARNUM. 

